Governor candidates raising money faster

OLYMPIA — May proved to be another good month for raising money in the battle for governor.

Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire and Republican Dino Rossi matched each other nearly dollar for dollar last month as the governor surged past the total she raised for her 2004 election.

Gregoire collected $785,049 and Rossi $701,112 last month, according to reports filed Tuesday with the state Public Disclosure Commission and made public by the campaigns.

After subtracting expenses, Gregoire began June with $4.22 million in cash on hand, while Rossi had $3.44 million.

The rate of fundraising for both is ahead of the pace they set in 2004.

Gregoire is up to nearly $7 million in her bid for re-election — $6.8 million through the end of May plus another $112,000 in the first week of June. Four years ago she received $6.36 million in contributions, state records show.

“Washingtonians appreciate Gov. Gregoire’s record of taking on tough challenges and getting real results, and that has translated into robust and widespread financial support for her re-election efforts,” campaign spokesman Aaron Toso said.

Rossi has raked in $5.35 million in the campaign, including $201,679 in the first week of this month. Though the sum is about $1 million shy of his 2004 total, he’s likely to eclipse that mark this summer.

“We’re very pleased. People are excited and energized and helping us post strong fundraising numbers,” said campaign spokeswoman Jill Strait, noting that in 2004 it took until mid-­October to reach this same level.

Among Rossi’s events in recent weeks were a June 2 fundraiser in Everett and a June 7 lunch in Seattle featuring former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

In Snohomish County, Rossi continues to out-raise Gregoire just as he outpolled her in 2004.

Strait said they’ve grossed about $450,000 from Snoho­mish County donors. The total is about $100,000 more than 2004.

Gregoire’s campaign did not have totals through May for donations from Snohomish County residents. State records show the campaign had banked nearly $200,000 from Snoho­mish County donors through the end of April.

There are eight other candidates who have filed to run for governor this year. Of them, James White of Marysville had raised $5,700 as of Tuesday, according to the Web site of the Public Disclosure Commission.

Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.